Sunday, 1st March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Second Sunday of Lent; The Lesser Festival of St David, Bishop of Menevia and Patron of Wales, C601
11:00am: Parish Eucharist
6:00pm: Choral Evensong - Preacher: Mr Andy Jones
Wednesday
9:00am: Oasis
10:00am: Midweek Holy Communion
Saturday
7:30pm: Northern Spirit Singers Concert
Sunday, 8th March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Third Sunday of Lent
11:00am: Parish Eucharist
6:00pm: Choral Evensong - Sung by St John’s College Choir, Durham University
***Please see the Calendar of services attached.***
***Please see also David’s Music Notes attached.***
Deanery Confirmation Service: The Confirmation Service this year will be on Saturday 6th June at 6:00pm at St Nics, Durham. Please let Peter know if you would like to be Confirmed or indeed Baptised and Confirmed at this service. It will be taken by Bishop Frank White.
Ash Wednesday: Lent got off to a strong start at St Oswald’s on Ash Wednesday, with the school in for their assembly first thing, and then the morning Communion Service included a homily from Lydia, a masters student of theology from Louvain, and then the evening Sung Eucharist Service. This service was well supported by singers from St Mary’s College Choir and members of the college in the congregation. Many thanks to Andy and the team for setting everything up so well and to David, and the choir. I was also at the High School for their assembly so it was a fittingly full day.
Lent Outreach Appeal: The PCC has accepted the Outreach Committee's recommendation that the focus for our Easter appeal should be on countering homelessness, and it will be in aid of Cornerstone Supported Housing & Counselling Ltd, a small local registered charity with a very practical hands-on approach. Cornerstone runs a furniture-making and vocational training unit in Willington, with units in Bishop Auckland and Hartlepool which act both as community hubs and selling outlets for the furniture it makes at Willington. Its team of volunteers work on the streets and through the community hubs to help homeless people find support and emergency accommodation.
It was suggested to the Outreach Committee by our parishioner Nick Storey, who has been impressed by the work of its volunteers on the streets of Bishop Auckland. Our appeal will run from Sunday 8th March to Sunday 12th April, and there will be our usual display in church to explain the charity’s work and how to donate. We hope also that it may be possible to arrange a short talk after the service one Sunday morning, by one of the charity’s workers, possibly accompanied by the charity’s therapy support dog Bob, who helps volunteers to break the ice when they encounter rough sleepers.
Oasis: This is a short time of reflection, designed to be a benefit for parents dropping off children at the school, with a concluding prayer and coffee. It takes place on a Wednesday, 9:00am-9:30am. All welcome; attached is more information.
A service for the World Day of Prayer will be held at North Road Methodist Church on Friday 6 March at 10.30am. This year the service has been written by Christian Women of Nigeria. All are welcome.
Foodbank – Weekly message from Lynda Delf: On 15th February £5.00 and 4kg of food was donated by Parishioners, this will provide 5 meals. Thank you for your continuing support.
This week we need sugar, rice, coffee, teabags, instant soup, and noddles, tinned fruit, rice pudding, meat, fish, potatoes, tomatoes and spaghetti. We also need household cleaning materials, toilet rolls, nappies, long life milk and fruit juice.
Many thanks for all you do to help people who visit our food banks.
Upcoming Concerts in Church: On Saturday 7th March, we host Northern Spirit Singers (starts 7:30pm).
On Wednesday 11th March, we host Durham University Concert Band (starts 7:00pm).
On Saturday 14th March, we host Durham University Palatinate Ensemble (starts 7:30pm).
On Tuesday 17th March, we host Durham University Classical Ensemble (starts 7:00pm).
For your Prayers: Amongst the sick please pray for, Angie Robley, Carol Simmons.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Caroline Tucker RIP. Caroline’s funeral will take place at St. Oswald’s on Monday 1st March at 12:45pm.